Chapter 80: The Elves’ Common Sense Of Persistence (5)

Chapter 80: The Elves’ Common Sense Of Persistence (5)

“Sorry. My lower half is a bit busy.”

“......?”

Oops! I meant to just soothe her...!

Eve reacts too honestly to every word I say, and I inadvertently blurted it out.

Eve, who has been mentally battered repeatedly in this short time, became ragged. With a pale face, she opened her mouth.

“It, it’s okay. So this doesn’t mean that it’s because you dislike me, right...?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Honestly, there’s no reason for me to dislike Miss Eve. I rather like you.”

“...Really?”

Are you trying to cook me with plausible words again? (X)

Is the chance of me graduating from being a maiden still alive...? (O)

Eve’s voice sounded almost desperate. Honestly, I felt sorry for having been too harsh, even though I was supposed to prevent her from turning evil.

I leaned in closer, holding Eve’s head in my embrace. The distance suddenly narrowed.

Being uncharacteristically large for an elf, Eve’s chest pressed tightly against my midsection, as if to envelop me.

“Uh...”

Startled, Eve tried reflexively to pull away, but her head was already firmly grasped by me.

Unable to do much, Eve clung to me in an awkward position. Just as planned.

Pretending to notice nothing, I continued speaking in a voice no different from before, perhaps a bit softer with a hint of apology.

“Of course. I most definitely like Miss Eve. Though you said it wasn’t necessary earlier, that was just not a reason enough for marriage, but it’s true that it’s a charming point, isn’t it?”

“Then, may I take it that my proposal is not entirely rejected?”

Is there still a chance to capture your heart? (X)

This is a man’s... (O)

She spoke as if she had found a sliver of hope, like a pure-hearted maiden in her words...but her mind was filled with nothing but risqué thoughts.

Isn’t this the best??

I’m not sure how the men of the Pan Continent would feel, but at least for me, it’s definitely a point in her favor.

I stroked the round back of Eve’s head and nodded.

“As I said earlier, it’s not possible right now. But if someday my work is safely finished, and if Miss Eve accepts that there are other women by my side. Then, will you gift me the ring again?”

“At that time...”

“Yes. At that time, please put it on my finger yourself.”

Saying so, I slowly released Eve’s head and stepped back.

“Ah...”

Eve exclaimed as if in regret. I’m sorry, but the service ends here. Well, maybe one more wouldn’t hurt, right?

With a sly smile, I moved my arms behind my back and clasped my hands together. Then, I pressed my forehead against Eve’s and whispered,

“That’s one thing, but...the promise I made with you last time still stands. Whenever you need the power of the World Tree, I’ll help you out once, whatever it may be. Think carefully about how and where you’ll use this.”

“......”

After a moment of silence, Eve responded with her usual sinister smile.

“Hehe. To think you’re giving me a blank check. Are you sure that’s alright?”

You’ll be stomping the ground in regret when you find out what I might ask of you (X)

King domination play? Totally possible! (O)

Eve, what did you take my words for? I told you I won’t do anything lewd??

I will betray you at the crucial moment after slowly gaining your trust (X)

Saying I’ll satisfy you sounds too risqué, so let’s say I won’t disappoint you (O)

After shaking hands with Eve, who hid her true intentions until the last moment, I left the Eternal Mercantile Eden.

It was time to return home, where Ellie was waiting.



Eve slowly looked around the now empty store.

The design was unique, as if the plants and the building had become one. It was a style Eve recognized from ancient elven architecture.

The power to dominate plants. A symbol of royal authority. The legitimacy itself recognized by the World Tree.

The oldest power, named after the first King. It was a form that could only be created with the power of Basilieus.

“U-huhu...”

Eve, slightly cheered up, settled into the sofa where Jonah had been lying just moments before. No, she simply sprawled out in the same manner and took a deep breath.

A faint scent of Jonah lingered.

“Wow. That’s pretty blatant.”

“Boss. Pervert.”

Lemon and Apple were making a racket in the corner, but it was hardly a matter of concern for Eve.

Buried in the traces left by Jonah, reflecting on the conversation they had just shared. What could be more important than that?

‘Did you say you have something to do and to wait? I can do that as much as needed.’

Eve has already been waiting for nearly a thousand years. There’s no need to fret over waiting a few decades more.

Just helping Jonah and waiting a bit longer is all that needs to be done.

The real problem is that there are many other women around Jonah....

‘Whoever you love, no matter how tainted, it doesn’t matter. As long as you are by the side of this Eve Nirvana Yggdrasil in the end...!“

After all, the lifespan of humans is around 100 years! Even the long-lived races like beastmen or dwarves hardly exceed 150 years!

Even for those who surpass the limits of their race, living twice the allotted lifespan is a distant dream!

On the other hand, what about Eve?

Despite having lived for over a thousand years, she maintains her undiminished youth. As long as she doesn’t get sick or injured, she might have hundreds of years left...perhaps even over a thousand.

This is all thanks to the divine power of the World Tree bestowed upon her at birth.

And Jonah too has gained the power of the World Tree. Being that he had obtained the one most formidable in strength, his lifespan will increase dramatically.

At least similar to that of an ordinary elf...he may even live long enough to stay with Eve until the very end of her life.

“Ah...I’m looking forward to it.”

To elves, this was the common sense of persistence.

All the aged, dead, and buried competitors. Thinking of the half-elves frolicking above their graves made Eve’s lower abdomen burn with heat.

Squirming, squirming.

Eve instinctively crossed her legs and pressed her body against the sofa.

At that sight, Lemon and Apple who were in the corner were horrified and kicked their way out of the store.

“That, that. That’s totally a crazy bitch, that one.”

“Lemon. It’s not that. It’s the Boss.”

Apple, who did not correct the term ‘crazy bitch’ until the end, locked the door of the store from outside.

Today was another peaceful day in Pangrave.

Anyway, it was peaceful.